Bath (North Carolina) - town in Beaufort County, North Carolina

Bath is on the North Carolina Coastal Plain.

Understand

Founded in 1705, Bath is North Carolina's oldest town and first port of entry. It was first settled by French Huguenots who made their way south from Virginia. They initially had to contend with yellow fever outbreaks, droughts, pirates, and incursions by Tuscarora Indians. Between 1705 and 1722, it was the capital of the colony of North Carolina before it moved on to Edenton and New Bern. In 1711, Thomas Cary tried to usurp the governorship that had been transferred to Edward Hyde in what became known as Cary's Rebellion, an affair that sort of dogged effective governance in the colony for a while.

The actual Blackbeard lived here in 1718 until he was seized for privateering and executed. And also George Whitefield, the noted Methodist evangelist, came to Bath during the Great Awakening but got such a cold reception that he removed his shoes on the outskirts of town and placed a curse on it, which almost seems to have come true given the way Bath has had a sleepy character up till it became a retirement and tourism haven in the late 20th century.

Get in

Get around

See

• Bath Historic District, 207 Carteret St, 35.47706°, -76.81169°, +1 252 923-0525. Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Exhibits and tours on historic Bath, the oldest community in North Carolina (though Edenton is claimed to be the oldest permanent settlement). $2 2021-11-03
• Palmer-Marsh House, 35.47693°, -76.81372°, +1 252 923-3971. Built in 1744 and used by the North Carolina colonial legislature to convene, it is one of the older houses in the state. 2021-11-03
• Bonner House, 200 Front St, 35.47155°, -76.81440°, +1 252 475-1500. Historic home with marker regarding Edward "Blackbeard" Teach posted adjacent. 2021-11-03
• St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 101 Craven St, 35.47414°, -76.81288°, +1 252 923-9141. The oldest standing church in North Carolina, built in 1734, and, indirectly tied to Bath having the first public library in the colony, as books were mailed to the parish from the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts in England. 2021-11-03

Do

Lots of fishing, boating, jet-skiing, and other water sports to be had.

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

• The Inn On Bath Creek, 116 S Main St, 35.47574°, -76.81363°, +1 252 923-9571. A bed & breakfast. 2021-11-03
• Bath Harbor Motel & Marina Inc, 101 Carteret St, 35.47725°, -76.81496°, +1 252 923-5711. Has some little rooms and things. 2021-11-03

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